Wig apparatus and method of manufacturing same

ABSTRACT

A wig apparatus comprises: a front mesh section comprising a first material; a rear mesh section comprising a second material; a seam extending from one side of the wig apparatus to the opposite side of the wig apparatus, wherein the first material and second material are coupled together along the seam and wherein the first material and second material at least partially overlap along the seam; a parting area disposed within the front section comprising a first parting area layer, a second parting area layer and a third parting area layer; and artificial hair coupled to the front section, the rear section and the parting area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/540,874 filed on Aug. 3, 2017, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to wigs, and more particularly, to a wig apparatus and methods of manufacturing the same.

Description of the Related Art

Wigs are used by people to enhance their appearance and to conceal their natural hair. Wigs generally include multiple strands of hair attached to a cap to form a unit that can be secured to a user's scalp. Hair weaves and hair extensions are also used by people to either conceal or supplement their natural hair. In some cases, people use wigs when they are experiencing baldness or thinning of their natural hair. For those experiencing baldness or thinning of natural hair, use of wigs provides an alternative to use of potentially dangerous hair growth drugs or chemicals, or uncomfortable hair plugs. In other cases, people use wigs for temporary purposes when they are undergoing medical treatments that result in loss of their hair, such as chemotherapy.

In conventional wigs, artificial hair is sewn to filaments that traverse the wig from side-to-side. When artificial hair is sewn to a filament, it tends to lay flat in an unnatural manner. Furthermore, artificial hair that is sewn to a filament tends to move in the same direction as other artificial hair sewn to the same filament; as opposed to moving independently of surrounding artificial hair, which results in an unnatural appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the invention, a wig apparatus is provided. The wig apparatus comprises: a front mesh section comprising a first material; a rear mesh section comprising a second material; a seam extending from one side of the wig apparatus to the opposite side of the wig apparatus, wherein the first material and second material are coupled together along the seam and wherein the first material and second material at least partially overlap along the seam; a parting area disposed within the front section comprising a first parting area layer, a second parting area layer and a third parting area layer; and artificial hair coupled to the front section, the rear section and the parting area.

According to further embodiments: the second parting area layer at least partially overlaps the first parting area layer; the third parting area layer is disposed along an edge of the second parting area layer; the first parting area layer at least partially extends beyond the third parting area layer, away from the edge of the second parting area layer and away from the front mesh section; the second parting area layer is at least partially disposed between the third parting area layer and the first parting area layer; the second parting area layer does not extend substantially beyond the third parting area layer; the first parting area layer, the second parting area layer and the third parting area layer are each constructed of separate materials; the first parting area layer is constructed of mesh, the second parting area layer is constructed of silk, and the third parting area layer is constructed of rubber; at least one lateral parting area layer that at least partially overlaps the first parting area layer; the lateral parting area layer overlaps the first parting area layer and does not overlap the second parting area layer; the lateral parting area layer overlaps the first parting area layer, does not overlap the second parting area layer, and does not overlap the third parting area layer; the lateral parting area layer and the second parting area layer are constructed of the same material; the lateral parting area layer comprises a first lateral parting area layer and a second lateral parting area layer, each coupled adjacent to an edge of the front mesh section and each disposed on opposite sides of the wig apparatus; the first lateral parting area layer is adjacent to a first lateral edge of the first parting area layer, and wherein the second lateral parting area layer is adjacent to a second lateral edge of the first parting area layer; the first lateral parting area layer is disposed in a position corresponding to a user's temple, and wherein the second lateral parting area layer is in a position corresponding to the user's opposite temple; the rear section comprises a rear edge, and wherein wefts of artificial hair are coupled to the rear edge; the front mesh section is coupled to at least a portion of each of the first parting area layer, the second parting area layer and the third parting area layer.

According to an embodiments of the invention, a method of manufacturing the wig apparatus is provided. The method comprises: sewing the front mesh section to the rear mesh section; sewing the parting area to the front section; and coupling wefts of artificial hair to an outer surface of the front section and the rear section.

According to further embodiments: the second parting area layer is at least partially disposed between the third parting area layer and the first parting area layer, and wherein the first parting area layer, the second parting area layer and the third parting area layer are each constructed of separate materials; at least one lateral parting area layer, wherein the lateral parting area layer overlaps the first parting area layer, does not overlap the second parting area layer, and does not overlap the third parting area layer, and wherein the lateral parting area layer and the second parting area layer are constructed of the same material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a wig apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a right-side view of the wig apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the wig apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of the wig apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of the wig apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the wig apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of the wig apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The following detailed description of certain embodiments will be made in reference to the accompanying drawings. In the detailed description, explanation about related functions or constructions known in the art are omitted for the sake of clearness in understanding the concept of the invention, to avoid obscuring the invention with unnecessary detail.

It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below. Additionally, unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

The phrase “artificial hair,” as used herein, refers to synthetic hair products as well as human hair or animal hair and combinations thereof. The artificial hair may be embodied in various traditional hair colors, such as black, brown, blonde, and red, as well as non-traditional hair colors, such as blue, green, and purple, and combinations thereof, including individual strands of hair having two or more colors.

The term “user,” as used herein, refers to any purchaser of the wig configured according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, including, but not limited to, individual members of the public, wholesale distributors, retail merchants, manufacturers, importers and exporters of the wig and related components of the wig.

Reference to individual embodiments, whether by number of embodiment or relevant feature of the embodiment, is used for convenience in describing such embodiments. Moreover, reference to individual embodiments does not indicate that any of such embodiments are preferred over any other embodiments. Furthermore, each individual embodiment may be combined with any other individual embodiment whether or not expressly stated.

Embodiments of the invention further described herein provide a wig apparatus and method of manufacturing the same. The wig apparatus includes artificial hair coupled to an outer surface thereof. The wig apparatus and method of manufacturing the wig apparatus provide the user with an improved and natural appearing wig. Individual wefts of artificial hair are crocheted to the outer surface of the wig apparatus, including the edge of the wig apparatus. Crocheting wefts of artificial hair to the wig apparatus provides a more natural-appearing wig than conventional techniques, which typically including sewing hair to filaments that traverse the wig from side-to-side. As further described herein, the wig apparatus includes multiple separate sections configured to provide the user with a secure, durable, and natural-appearing wig.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a wig apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wig apparatus 100 in FIG. 1 is illustrated in the manner that a user would wear it, that is, with artificial hair 105 on the outer surface. In FIGS. 2-7, the wig apparatus 100 is shown in an inside-out configuration for purposes of illustration only and would not be worn by a user in such a manner. It is noted that in certain embodiments, human hair can be used instead of artificial hair 105. The artificial hair 105 can be curly, straight, or other suitable texture.

FIG. 2 illustrates a right-side view of the wig apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the left-side view of the wig apparatus 100 being the same as the right-side view. The wig apparatus 100 includes a front mesh section 110 and a rear mesh section 115. In certain embodiments, the front mesh section 110 and the rear mesh section 115 are made of separate sections of nylon mesh sewn together along seam 120, where the front mesh section 110 and the rear mesh section 115 partially overlap. The seam 120 extends from one side of the wig apparatus to the opposite side of the wig apparatus. In certain embodiments, the seam 120 extends in a straight line across the wig apparatus 100, whereas in other embodiments, the seam 120 extends across the wig apparatus with multiple curves. The front mesh section 110 is constructed of a first material, including elastic mesh, cotton mesh, stocking material, or other suitable material, and combinations thereof. The rear mesh section 115 is constructed of a second material, including elastic mesh, cotton mesh, stocking material, or other suitable material, and combinations thereof.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the wig apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The front mesh section 110 includes a parting area 125 and multiple combs 130. The parting area 125 is configured such that the user can easily part the artificial hair 105 along the surface thereof. The parting area 125 includes a first parting area layer 135, a second parting area layer 140 and a third parting area layer 145. The first parting area layer 135, the second parting area layer 140 and the third parting area layer 145 are each constructed of separate materials. The parting area 125 is illustrated as being centered to the wig apparatus 100, which will provide a center-part. In certain embodiments, the parting area 125 can be positioned to the left or right, providing a left-side part or a right-side part, respectively. The front mesh section 110 is coupled to at least a portion of each of the first parting area layer 135, the second parting area layer 140 and the third parting area layer 145.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first parting area layer 135, the second parting area layer 140 and the third parting area layer 145 are each different sizes of material that overlap in certain areas. A portion of the second parting area layer 140 is at least partially disposed between the third parting area layer 145 and the first parting area layer 135. In certain embodiments, the third parting area layer 145 is disposed along an edge of the second parting area layer 140. In certain embodiments, the second parting area layer 140 does not extend substantially beyond the third parting area layer 145. The first parting area layer 135 at least partially extends beyond the third parting area layer 145, away from the edge of the second parting area layer 140 and away from the front mesh section 110, that is, towards the user's forehead when the wig apparatus 100 is worn by the user.

The first parting area layer 135 is made of a fine mesh and, in certain embodiments, includes artificial hair crocheted to the surface thereof. In certain embodiments, the first parting area layer 135 is made of silk mesh, or other suitable material. The second parting area layer 140 at least partially overlaps the first parting area layer 135. The first parting area layer 135 is configured to mimic a natural part in the user's hair. That is, the artificial hair coupled to the remaining area of the front mesh section 110 and the rear mesh section 115 falls naturally from the wig apparatus 100 and is parted along the parting area 125. The first parting area layer 135 can vary in shape and size, that is, the first parting area layer 135 can be wider and/or narrower than illustrated in FIG. 3. The first parting area layer 135 extends beyond the edge of the wig apparatus 100 to a location corresponding to the user's forehead and from positions corresponding to each of the user's temples, as illustrated in FIG. 2, on both sides of the wig apparatus 100. In certain embodiments, the first parting area layer 135 extends from positions corresponding to each of the user's ears. In certain embodiments, the first parting area layer 135 extends around the entire edge of the wig apparatus 100, that is, 360 degrees around the wig apparatus 100. The first parting area layer 135 can therefore be customized to align with the contours of each individual user's forehead. In certain embodiments, the mesh layer 135 does not extend beyond the edge of the wig apparatus 100 towards the user's forehead.

The second parting area layer 140 is disposed on the interior surface of the first parting area layer 135, that is, between the user's head and the interior surface of the first parting area layer 135. In certain embodiments, the second parting area layer 140 is constructed of silk, or other suitable material. In certain embodiments, the second parting area layer 140 is not included. In certain embodiments, the front mesh section 110 includes a lateral parting area layer 141, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The second parting area layer 140 prevents scalp irritation and also allows users to part their hair in any direction. The third parting area layer 145 is made out of a rubber material, such as silicone, or other suitable material. The third parting area layer 145 extends across the parting area 125 along the edge of the second parting area layer 140. The third parting area layer 145 inhibits the second parting area layer 140 from slipping on the user's head.

The lateral parting area layer 141 at least partially overlaps the first parting area layer 135. In certain embodiments, the lateral parting area layer 141 overlaps the first parting area layer 135 and does not overlap the second parting area layer 140. In certain embodiments, the lateral parting area layer 141 overlaps the first parting area layer 135, does not overlap the second parting area layer 140, and does not overlap the third parting area layer 145. In certain embodiments, the lateral parting area layer 141 and the second parting area layer 140 are constructed of the same material.

Referring to FIG. 2, it is noted that the wig apparatus 100 is symmetrical, thus the left side and right side of the wig apparatus are substantially identical. in certain embodiments, the lateral parting area layer 141 includes a first lateral parting area layer and a second lateral parting area layer, each coupled adjacent to an edge of the front mesh section 110 and each disposed on opposite sides of the wig apparatus 100. Thus, the first lateral parting area layer is adjacent to a first lateral edge 135A of the first parting area layer 135, and the second lateral parting area layer is adjacent to a second lateral edge of the first parting area layer 135. Thus, the first lateral parting area layer is disposed in a position corresponding to a user's temple, and the second lateral parting area layer is in a position corresponding to the user's opposite temple

In certain embodiments, the first parting area layer 135 and the second parting area layer 140 are not present. Thus, the parting area 125 exposes the user's natural hair. The user is then able to blend their natural hair with the artificial hair 105 of the wig apparatus 100.

The combs 130 are disposed on each side of the parting area 125, in a position corresponding to the user's temples when worn. The combs 130 include tines that protrude into the user's hair when the user wears the wig apparatus 100, securing the wig apparatus 100 in place. The combs 130 can be replaced with clips or other suitable device that secures the interior of the wig apparatus 100 to the user's natural hair.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of the wig apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rear mesh section 115 includes a rear comb 150. The rear comb 150 is disposed in the lower area of the rear mesh section 115 near the edge of the wig apparatus 100, and centered in a position corresponding to the user's neck when worn. The rear comb 150 includes tines that protrude into the user's hair when the user wears the wig apparatus 100, securing the wig apparatus 100 in place.

The rear section includes an S-hook 155 and multiple hook receiving loops 160. The S-hook 155 is coupled to an elastic band that extends along the edge of the wig apparatus 100. The elastic band is coupled to the inner surface of the wig apparatus 100. The S-hook 155 is hooked around one of the hook receiving loops 160, pulling the elastic band tight, thus tightening the edge of the wig apparatus 100, and securing the wig apparatus 100 to the user's head. The rear mesh section 115 includes a second S-hook 165 disposed on the opposite of the S-hook 155, which operates in a similar manner to the S-hook 155, by hooking one of the hook receiving loops 160 and tightening the opposite edge of the wig apparatus 100 around the user's head.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of the wig apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment to the embodiment described with respect to FIG. 4. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the rear mesh section 115 includes the rear comb 150. The rear mesh section 115 includes a drawstring 170. The drawstring 170 is made of an elastic band that extends along the edge of the wig apparatus 100. The elastic band is slidably held within a sleeve of mesh, which is disposed along the edge of the rear mesh section 115. The drawstring 170 includes a clip 175 that holds the drawstring 170 tight, thus tightening the edge of the wig apparatus 100, and securing the wig apparatus 100 to the user's head.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the wig apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rear mesh section 115 includes a rubberized strip 180. The rubberized strip 180 is made out of silicone, or other suitable material. The rubberized strip 180 is disposed between the rear comb 150 and the hook receiving loops 160 and extends near the edge of the wig apparatus from approximately a position corresponding to the user's left ear to approximately a position corresponding to the user's right ear. The rubberized strip 180 inhibits the wig apparatus 100 from slipping on the user's head.

FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of the wig apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rear mesh section 115 includes wefts of artificial hair 185 crocheted to the edge thereof. The wefts 185 are crocheted to the edge of the rear mesh section 115 below the rear comb 150 and below the hook receiving loops 160. In certain embodiments, the wefts 185 are crocheted along the entire edge of the rear mesh section 115. In certain embodiments, the wefts 185 are crocheted along a portion of the edge of the rear mesh section 115.

Embodiments of the present invention also include a method of manufacturing the wig apparatus 100 described herein. The method includes sewing the front mesh section 110 to the rear mesh section 115. The method includes sewing the parting area 125 to the front mesh section 110. The method include coupling wefts of artificial hair to the outer surface of the front mesh section 110 and the rear mesh section 115. In certain embodiments, the wefts of artificial hair are crocheted to the mesh of the front mesh section 110 and the rear mesh section 115. In certain embodiments, the wefts may be spaced evenly on the outer surface of the front mesh section 110 and the rear mesh section 115. In certain embodiments, the wefts of artificial hair may be crocheted to the outer surface of the front mesh section 110 in a greater density than in the rear mesh section 115.

Wefts of artificial hair are coupled to the outer surface of the wig apparatus 100 by crocheting a loop of the artificial hair through the mesh of the front mesh section 110 or the rear mesh section 115, wrapping the loop around the weft of artificial hair, isolating a portion of artificial hair from the weft and inserting the portion of artificial hair through the loop to form a knot. The portion of artificial hair is then pulled tight, creating a knot that secures the weft of artificial hair to the wig apparatus 100. The method of knotting the weft of artificial hair can be carried out one or more times, two to five times, or more than five times. Crocheting individual wefts of artificial hair to the wig apparatus 100 provides a more natural appearance because the wefts of artificial hair are able to move independent of each other and do not lay flat. Furthermore, the individual wefts of artificial hair allow for better ventilation than conventional wigs that use sewing techniques to couple artificial hair to filaments.

As described herein, embodiments of the invention provide an improved and natural appearing wig apparatus and method of manufacturing the same. Crocheting wefts of artificial hair to the wig apparatus provides a more natural appearing wig than conventional techniques. The wig apparatus includes multiple separate sections configured to provide the user with a secure, durable, and natural-appearing wig.

While embodiments of the invention have been shown and described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and equivalents thereof. 

1. A wig apparatus comprising: a front mesh section comprising a first material; a rear mesh section comprising a second material; a seam extending from one side of the wig apparatus to the opposite side of the wig apparatus, wherein the first material and second material are coupled together along the seam and wherein the first material and second material at least partially overlap along the seam; a parting area disposed within the front section comprising a first parting area layer, a second parting area layer and a third parting area layer; and artificial hair coupled to the front section, the rear section and the parting area.
 2. The wig apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second parting area layer at least partially overlaps the first parting area layer.
 3. The wig apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the third parting area layer is disposed along an edge of the second parting area layer.
 4. The wig apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first parting area layer at least partially extends beyond the third parting area layer, away from the edge of the second parting area layer and away from the front mesh section.
 5. The wig apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second parting area layer is at least partially disposed between the third parting area layer and the first parting area layer.
 6. The wig apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second parting area layer does not extend substantially beyond the third parting area layer.
 7. The wig apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first parting area layer, the second parting area layer and the third parting area layer are each constructed of separate materials.
 8. The wig apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first parting area layer is constructed of mesh, the second parting area layer is constructed of silk, and the third parting area layer is constructed of rubber.
 9. The wig apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one lateral parting area layer that at least partially overlaps the first parting area layer.
 10. The wig apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the lateral parting area layer overlaps the first parting area layer and does not overlap the second parting area layer.
 11. The wig apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the lateral parting area layer overlaps the first parting area layer, does not overlap the second parting area layer, and does not overlap the third parting area layer.
 12. The wig apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the lateral parting area layer and the second parting area layer are constructed of the same material.
 13. The wig apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the lateral parting area layer comprises a first lateral parting area layer and a second lateral parting area layer, each coupled adjacent to an edge of the front mesh section and each disposed on opposite sides of the wig apparatus.
 14. The wig apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the first lateral parting area layer is adjacent to a first lateral edge of the first parting area layer, and wherein the second lateral parting area layer is adjacent to a second lateral edge of the first parting area layer.
 15. The wig apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the first lateral parting area layer is disposed in a position corresponding to a user's temple, and wherein the second lateral parting area layer is in a position corresponding to the user's opposite temple.
 16. The wig apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rear section comprises a rear edge, and wherein wefts of artificial hair are coupled to the rear edge.
 17. The wig apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the front mesh section is coupled to at least a portion of each of the first parting area layer, the second parting area layer and the third parting area layer.
 18. A method of manufacturing the wig apparatus according to claim 1, the method comprising: sewing the front mesh section to the rear mesh section; sewing the parting area to the front section; and coupling wefts of artificial hair to an outer surface of the front section and the rear section.
 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the second parting area layer is at least partially disposed between the third parting area layer and the first parting area layer, and wherein the first parting area layer, the second parting area layer and the third parting area layer are each constructed of separate materials.
 20. The method according to claim 18, further comprising at least one lateral parting area layer, wherein the lateral parting area layer overlaps the first parting area layer, does not overlap the second parting area layer, and does not overlap the third parting area layer, and wherein the lateral parting area layer and the second parting area layer are constructed of the same material. 